Releasing Negativity

A large part of being who you are has to do with releasing the negativity others have that they push onto you. We all know the family member or coworker who has a disconcerting response to every positive one. Their stares, words, and even presence can weigh you down. You aren’t responsible for their attitudes but you are responsible for allowing them to affect your mind, will, and emotions. Take control of your life by refusing to let them invade your outlook and the outcome of your day.

Their opinion is only that– opinion. Opinions are not facts and they cannot be proven and it doesn’t mean that the negative person’s opinion is true or justifiable. You cannot change their mindset or actions. Don’t waste your time trying to do so.

Keep things around you that remind you of joyful moments or people/things you are thankful for. The person’s negativity cannot change that. It can be as simple as wearing a perfume you like that your best friend gave you for Christmas.

Remain positive and be true to who you are. Don’t accept the put downs, snarky comments, or pressure from the negative person. You choose who you want to be and what will affect you.

Try to steer the conversation in a positive direction.

Realize that you don’t have to be around the negative person. If your family member has only hurtful and insulting things to say about your life or they just drag you down in general, you have the autonomy and the right to remove them from your life. You might still run into them at Christmas and that’s fine. You can still show love without having the negative person be an active part of your life. If you are forced to remain in contact with the negative individual, you can…

Draw boundaries. Just because you run into the person every day does not mean you are forced to chit chat with him or her over a cup of tea. You can be nice without being best buddies. You are in control of your life.

Give yourself time to prepare before seeing the negative person. Also give yourself time to regroup after seeing the negative person. This can be ten minutes of playing with your dog, pruning your garden, or belting out your favorite song. Be creative. The only rule is to enjoy it.

Know that someone’s negativity has to do with their unhappiness and whatever struggle they are going through. It usually has nothing to do with those around them. The negative individual has the same choice to be positive as you do only they choose not to take it.

If the company you work for is toxic, look at other options. If the friends you associate with continuously ruin your outlook, you may need to walk away. There is strength in doing what is best for you.

If the negative individual doesn’t take the hint and you have trouble isolating their negativity from you, don’t be afraid to seek out a counselor or a trusted family/friend to help you come up with options to solve the scenario. You always have options whether you realize them straight away or not.